The City of Valenzuela is one of the fastest growing City in the Philippines, categorized

under Republic Act. Nos 7160 and 8526 by former President Fidel V. Ramos as First-Class
highly Urbanized City in the Metro Manila. It is also known as the northern gateway to Metro
Manila and one of the country’s Premier business and industrial centers. The city evolved from a
rural Provincial Town to a Beautiful and Vibrant City. Back then, before it became a city,
Valenzuela was formerly part of Bulacan. The city was later renamed to Valenzuela in honor of
Dr. Pio Valenzuela, a Doctor and a Katipunero during his time.

Dr. Pio Valenzuela plays an important role in defending Philippines and in this time, he is
considered one of the bravest person that fight for the freedom of the country. Dr. Pio was born
on July 11, 1869 in Polo, Bulacan (now Valenzuela). He studied medicine in the University of
Sto. Tomas. During his studies, he joined the Katipunan. He was part of the Katipunan
Triumvirate, together with the Supremo of the Katipunan, Andres Bonifacio and Emilio Jacinto.
They established the chamber of the Camara Reina society. Dr. Pio also took charge of the
Kalayaan, the Katipunan’s first and only official publication in 1894. He was also known as one
of a friend of Dr. Jose Rizal. Dr. Pio was also known for being the mediator of Andres Bonifacio
and Jose Rizal. He was imprisoned in Madrid, transferred in Barcelona, then later transferred to a
Spanish outpost in Africa. When he return home, during the American colonization, he was once
again imprisoned for a few months because of his continued resist against the Americans. He
was released because he was declared the first “Municipal President” of the Polo from 1899 to
1900. Later, he became the Governor of Bulacan from 1919 up to 1925. He also continued to
practice his field expertise, Medication. He died on April 6, 1956 at the age of 86.

Because of the patriotism Dr. Pio has

shown, it is a privilege and an honor to know
that his house is located in the vicinity of the
Valenzuela. In 1949, Dr. Pio built his new
home in a site previously occupied by a
Bahay na Bato built in the late 19th Century,
which was destroyed during the World War
II.. He made a two-storey house where he and
his family had lived until he died at the age of
86. The two-storey house Dr. Pio lived, is
located on a 736 square-meter lot along
Velilla Street Barangay Pariancillo Villa. The
house has become a tourist attraction back then and it is a valuable part of the Valenzuela City’s
heritage. When entering the house, people can see the short-length gate. The house was made of
light materials like woods. It also has grills. It looks old because of the paint that is fading as
time pass by. Visitors or tourists may only view and appreciate the house from the street as the
premises is off-limits to the public.
 The house of Dr. Pio has long been abandoned since the
passing of all seven children of Valenzuela. Sadly, aside from the
Historical marker, people may not notice or recognize the house and
wouldn’t care about the history behind it because of the physical
look of it. It was unoccupied and been neglected. There are water
hyacinths around the house and stagnant water surrounds it. His
grandchildren, who will be the heirs, who should take care of the
house, entrusted it to a caretaker after they moved abroad. The
government could not fully touched and renovate it since the
property remains privately owned.

The house was only Valenzuela’s after war house and it is not the pre-war house. The
pre-war house had a vital role in the
Philippine’s history. The pre-war house
became a meeting place of members of
the Partido Democarata, when Dr. Pio
was the governor of the Bulacan on that
time. The house also serves as a meeting
place of the Katipuneros, historians and
journalist. During the Japanese
occupation, it serves as a place to hide for
his town mates when the Americans
forces attacked. The pre-war house was
destroyed when it was shelled during the
liberation of the World War II. But with
the help of the local government,
currently, the City Government of Valenzuela is eyeing to reconstruct the house owned by Pio
Valenzuela. They planned to reconstruct it based on Pio Valenzuela’s pre-war house.

It saddens me to know that this Historical Place was been dilapidated. The house should
be treated well and maintained well. Hopefully, the Government of Valenzuela will make this
place more beautiful and informative because it deserves to be treasured since it is a valuable
part in the heritage of the Valenzuela City.